Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP‘s trade secrets cohort is well-placed to assist its clients in the array of matters; its workload is formed in large part of assisting in the enforcement of and defense against employee non-solicits, no-hires and NDAs, as well as in assisting in disputes pertaining to alleged misappropriation. Team head John Barry is based in New York and is a renowned name in the employment field and an experienced litigator in trade secret cases. Further, counsel Celine ChanRebecca Sivitz and associate Lauren Kelly are names to note for their employment capabilities; all work between the New York and Boston hubs. On the West Coast, San Francisco’s Bambo Obaro is the standout attorney, with experience defending against and obtaining emergency remedies in trade secret cases. Team changes include the departure of Paul Genender, formerly at the Dallas office, who left for Paul Hastings LLP in September 2023, the departure of Gary Friedman who left the New York office to join Seyfarth Shaw LLP in February 2024, and the departure of Patrick O’Toole, formerly at the Boston office, who left to Kirkland & Ellis LLP, the same firm from which Peter Mee joined the New York office in November 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Key clients

  • Russell Reynolds Associates
  • Schindler Elevator
  • Ceridian HCM Holding
  • Apollo Management
  • Nexa Equity
  • Visa
  • Leap
  • Kroll, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Advising successfully in favor of Russell Reynolds Associates, enforcing employee non-solicit and no-hire, and confidentiality/non-disclosure provisions in RRA’s Stock Agreement against a former partner who left RRA with three other RRA employees to start a competing firm.
  • Representing the client in a number of high-stakes and high-profile restrictive covenant and trade secret matters on both the plaintiff and defense side that were critical to its business.
  • Successfully representing Schindler Elevator Corporation and its affiliate Slade Industries Inc. in a significant restrictive covenant, common law, and misappropriation dispute involving several former senior leaders who resigned to join an industry competitor.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

John Barry

Other key lawyers

Gary Friedman, Bambo Obaro, Rebecca Sivitz, Celine Chan, Lauren Kelly, Peter Mee